I have already reported on my compiled data for my Savage 12 FV in .223, so I thought it might be good to do the same thing for my Savage 12 FV in 6.5mm Creedmoor.

I put together a comparison of the long-term results with each configuration by stock, by scope and by jump for all the bullets and powders I have used.

As you probably already know from my previous posts, I have shot the 12 FV 6.5mm Creedmoor with the factory stock and an Oryx chassis with both a Sightron II 36X42mm fixed power scope and a NightForce 8-32x56mm variable power scope.

Some of you have followed my threads for the 12 FV 6.5mm Creedmoor on the Ammunition and Reloading forum and the 110-Series Bolt-Action forum.
For the new 12 FV 6.5mm rifle with the factory stock:
https://www.savageshooters.com/showt...-5mm-Creedmoor

For the results after the change to the Oryx stock on the 110-Series Bolt-Action forum:
https://www.savageshooters.com/showt...-5mm-Creedmoor

I also published the results for a Sierra 130 grain Tipped Game King (Game Changer) hunting bullet versus its 130 grain Tipped Match King equivalent:
https://www.savageshooters.com/showt...406#post448406

Performance of the loads shot in the 12 FV 6.5mm Creedmoor from February 2018 to Sep 2020

12 FV 6.5mm CM Performance
--------------------- Top 10 -- Top 25 -- All Loads
Average---------- 0.268 --- 0.285 ---- 0.342
Median ---------- 0.272 --- 0.291 ---- 0.337
St Dev ------------ 0.050 --- 0.048 ---- 0.069
# Groups ----------- 41 ------ 100 ------ 508
% of Groups ----- 8.1% ---- 19.7% --- 100.0%

I gathered data on 24 powder-bullet combinations by bullet since I started shooting the 12 FV 6.5 CM and the chart below shows which powder bullet combinations worked the best on average and what the best load and velocity was. All the loads listed used Lapua brass.

5 Rnd Groups ----- Savage 12 FV 6.5 mm Creedmoor ---------By Average - Hand Loads

# Grps – Powder----- Bullet--------------------------Weight – Avg. -- Best Load Velocity -- Rank
3 -------- RL-17 -------- Sierra TMK #7430 ---------- 130 ---- 0.296 -- 0.296 ------ 2803 ------- 1
43 ------ H4350 ------- Hornady ELD-M # 26333 - 147 ----- 0.311 -- 0.243 ------ 2661 ------- 2
15 ------ IMR 4451 --- Hornady ELD-X #2635 ----- 143 ---- 0.312 -- 0.288 ------- 2656 ------- 3
45 ------ H4350 ------- Hornady ELD-M # 26331 – 140 ---- 0.313 -- 0.286 ------- 2688 ------- 4
8 -------- H4350 ------- Berger Match # 26401 ---- 140 ----- 0.320 -- 0.317 ------ 2691 ------- 5
41 ------ H4350 ------ Sierra TMK #7430 ---------- 130 ----- 0.323 -- 0.255 ------ 2723 ------- 6
20 ------ H4350 ------ Hornady ELD-X #2635 ----- 143 ----- 0.326 -- 0.288 ------ 2677 ------- 7
38 ------ H4350 ------ Sierra SMK #1742 ----------- 142 ----- 0.337 -- 0.290 ------ 2686 ------- 8
29 ------ H4350 ------ Hornady ELD-M # 26177 – 130 ----- 0.338 -- 0.328 ------ 2719 -------- 9
22 ------ IMR 4451 -- Sierra TMK #4330 ----------- 130 ----- 0.345 -- 0.321 ------ 2702 ------- 10
29 ------ IMR 4451 -- Sierra SMK #1742 ----------- 142 ----- 0.345 -- 0.324 ------ 2663 ------- 11
29 ------ IMR 4451 -- Sierra TMK #7430 ----------- 130 ----- 0.349 -- 0.347 ------ 2698 ------- 12
44 ------ IMR 4451 -- Hornady ELD-M # 26331 – 140 ------ 0.349 -- 0.290 ------ 2667 ------ 13
7 -------- IMR 4350 -- Berger Match # 26401 ----- 140 ----- 0.356 -- 0.327 ------ 2693 ------- 14
17 ------ IMR 4350 -- Hornady ELD-M # 26333 – 147 ------ 0.357 -- 0.344 ------ 2660 ------- 15
14 ------ IMR 4350 -- Sierra TMK #7430 ---------- 130 ----- 0.360 -- 0.313 ------ 2729 ------- 16
4 -------- IMR 4350 -- Hornady ELD-M # 26177 – 130 ----- 0.362 -- 0.362 ------ 2719 ------- 17
10 ------ IMR 4451 -- Hornady Match # 26177 – 130 ------ 0.362 -- 0.332 ------ 2698 ------- 18
12 ------ IMR 4350 -- Sierra SMK #1742 ----------- 142 ----- 0.363 -- 0.358 ------ 2678 ------- 19
33 ------ IMR 4451 -- Hornady ELD-M # 26333 – 147 ------ 0.369 -- 0.318 ------ 2640 ------- 20
15 ------ H4350 ------ Sierra MK #4330 ------------ 130 ----- 0.373 -- 0.328 ------ 2726 ------- 21
15 ------ IMR 4350 -- Hornady ELD-M # 26331 – 140 ----- 0.374 -- 0.300 ------ 2693 ------- 22
13 ------ IMR 4451 -- Berger Match # 26401 ----- 140 ----- 0.384 -- 0.333 ------ 2672 ------- 23
2 ------- RL-17 ------- Hornady ELD-M # 26331 --- 140 ----- 0.558 -- 0.558 ------ 2763 ------- 24
508 Total groups -------------------------------------------------- 0.342 Overall Average

The overall average for 5-round groups since the inception is just under 0.35 inches for 508 groups.
The table lists the average of all the groups for each powder bullet-combination for each bullet without regard for seating depth, velocity, etc.
However, I did include the best load average and its velocity to give you all some idea of what worked the best for me with each powder-bullet combination.
From this data, I think you can get a reasonable idea of what combinations worked best.
However, as I stated for my compilation of the 12 FV .223 data, I caution you that these results are for a particular rifle barrel of 26-inch length and specific chamber. Your rifle might not exhibit the same preferences.

The Top 10 powder-bullet combinations account for almost 52% (264) of the total groups (508) and all but two of the powder-bullet combinations have statistically significant samples.
H4350 holds 7 of the top 10 slots and accounts for 224 groups.
IMR4451 holds 2 of the top 10 slots and accounts for 37 groups.
RL-17 holds the top slot but accounts for only 3 groups. (This is not a statistically significant sample especially when it also holds the 24 and worst slot, with another sample that is not statistically significant, only 2 groups).

I admit that I have concentrated on the powders and bullets that provided the best results. Once I got the initial indication, I have avoided the combinations that did not measure up and did not waste time and resources on looking for a miracle.
Over the last 22 months I have shot these powder bullet combinations with two different scopes, two different stocks.
Comparing Stocks:
The performance with the factory stock and an Oryx Chassis is enlightening. I made the switch from the factory synthetic stock without an aluminum stiffener to an aluminum chassis because I could feel the factory stock flex as I shot it.

------------ Factory Stock -- Oryx Chassis
Average ------- 0.365 ------------ 0.328
Median -------- 0.358 ------------0.324
St Dev ---------- 0.076 ------------0.061
# Grps ---------- 198 --------------- 259
# Loads --------- 59 ----------------- 66
-------------------Top 10 --Top 25 -- Top 50 --Total
Factory Stock
Average -------- 0.269 --- 0.286 -- 0.307 -- 0.365
# Loads ------------- 2 -------- 6 ------- 15 ----- 59
Oryx Chassis
Average -------- 0.271 --- 0.289 -- 0.303 --0.328
# Loads ------------ 8 --------19 ------ 35 ----- 66

The Oryx Chassis shows an overall average improvement of 32.75% over the factory stock. Based upon feel during shooting, I believe that is almost all due to the flexing of the factory stock compared to the totally rigid Oryx chassis.

Comparing Scopes:
The performance with a Sightron 36x42mm fixed power scope with a target dot reticle and a NightForce 8-32X56mm Benchrest scope with an NP2-DD reticle are also enlightening.

Sightron 36X42mm Big Sky II Scope (18 Loads)
-------------- Top 10 --- Top 25 -- Top 50 -- Total
Average ----------------------------- 0.318 ---- 0.375
Median ------------------------------ 0.320 ---- 0.372
St Dev -------------------------------- 0.028 ---- 0.070
# Grps. ---------------------------------- 3 --------- 59

# Oryx ----------------------------------------------- 1
# Factory ------------------------------- 1 --------- 17

NightForce 8-32x56mm Benchrest
------------- Top 10 --- Top 25 --- Top 50 ---Total
Average --- 0.271 ---- 0.289 ---- 0.304 ---- 0.336
Median --- 0.281 ----- 0.294 ---- 0.304 ---- 0.329
St Dev ----- 0.052 ----- 0.051 ---- 0.053 ---- 0.067
# Grps. ------- 41 -------- 99 -------- 192 ------ 386

# Oryx -------- 8 --------- 19 ---------- 35 ------- 65
# Factory ----- 2 --------- 6 ----------- 14 ------- 38

The NightForce, using a maximum power (32X) had 10.4% better overall average than the Sightron II (36X).
The top 32 loads were shot with the NightForce scope and the lone Sightron load (#34) was the only Sightron load until #66.
The averages for the top 10 loads (0.271) and the top 50 loads (0.289), all with NightForce, were significantly better than the best Sightron load (0.318).
The NightForce shot 103 loads and placed 49 in the top 50 and 72 in the top 75. That is a pretty resounding result in favor of the NightForce optics.

Comparing Scopes by Bullet:
The same result is confirmed by analyzing performance based upon the scopes with individual bullets.

--------------------------------------------NF-32x --------------S-36x ----------------Improv. (Sightron - Nightforce)
Wgt. -- Bullet ------------------------------ Avg. --- # Grps ----- Avg. --- # Grps --------- Improved --- Pct.
130 --- Hornady Match # 26177 ---- 0.340 ---- 36 --------- 0.374 ---- 7 -------------- 0.034 ------- 9.1%
130 --- Sierra TMK #7430 ------------- 0.328 ---- 65 --------- 0.379 ---- 10 ------------ 0.051 -------13.4%
130 --- Sierra TGK #4330 -------------- 0.356 ---- 37 -----------------------------------------------------------------
140 --- Hornady ELDM # 26331 ----- 0.331 ---- 84 --------- 0.379 ---- 9 -------------- 0.048 ------- 12.6%
140 --- Berger Match # 26401 ------- 0.386 ------ 7 --------- 0.284 ---- 5 -------------- (0.102) ----- -36.1%
142 --- Sierra SMK #1742 ------------- 0.337 ---- 53 --------- 0.374 ---- 10 -------------- 0.038------- 10.0%
143 --- Hornady ELD-X #2635 -------- 0.320 ---- 35 ------------------------------------------------------------------
147 --- Hornady ELD-M # 26333 ----- 0.335 ---- 80 --------- 0.370 --- 13 -------------- 0.035 ------- 9.5%
--------------------------------------Total -- 0.335 -- 405 --------- 0.375 ---- 55 -------------- 0.040 ------- 10.7%

The only bullet that showed better performance with the Sightron was the Berger 140 gr but the sample size was small and I had a lot of trouble finding a jump that the Berger liked.

Comparing Performance based upon Jump:

I even have also compiled results based upon jump.

12 FV 6.5mm Creedmoor - Performance by Jump
Jump Avg. Med St Dev # Grps Rank
0.000 - 0.000 -- 0.330 -- 0.327 -- 0.046 ---- 25 ----- 3
0.001 - 0.010 -- 0.342 -- 0.325 -- 0.069 ---- 26 ----- 5
0.011 - 0.020 -- 0.326 -- 0.324 -- 0.067 ---- 75 ----- 2
0.021 - 0.030 -- 0.333 -- 0.332 -- 0.068 ---- 62 ----- 4
0.031 - 0.040 -- 0.323 -- 0.311 -- 0.057 ---- 40 ----- 1
0.041 - 0.050 -- 0.347 -- 0.346 -- 0.052 ---- 42 ----- 7
0.051 - 0.060 -- 0.369 -- 0.359 -- 0.070 ---- 40 ----- 10
0.061 - 0.070 -- 0.371 -- 0.369 -- 0.094 ---- 59 ----- 11
0.071 - 0.080 -- 0.351 -- 0.347 -- 0.053 ---- 40 ----- 8
0.081 - 0.090 -- 0.345 -- 0.345 -- 0.066 ---- 16 ----- 6
0.091 - 0.100 -- 0.360 -- 0.376 -- 0.053 ---- 11 ----- 9

Even considering the loads that were in the lands, the performance between 10 and 40 thousandths averaged within 0.024 thousandths.
The standard deviation averaged more than the total differences in the averages between the best and the worst jump.
‘Shooter induced variation’ has made it difficult to determine a clear winner based upon jump alone.